Dental Veneers in Valencia, CA

The ADA describes dental veneers as custom-made, natural-looking coverings for your teeth made of high-quality dental material. It says veneers can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped or broken, stained, or crooked or misshapen, and that they can also mask gaps in your smile. Cleveland Clinic adds teeth that are too small and stains that do not improve with teeth whitening to that list.

A veneer is not a crown. The ADA says veneers cover only the front surface of a tooth rather than the entire tooth structure. Cleveland Clinic puts it this way: a veneer covers the front of a tooth to enhance its appearance, while a dental crown covers the entire tooth to add strength and protection, and the main purpose of a crown is to restore a tooth badly damaged by decay or trauma. Veneers are a cosmetic treatment and do not necessarily strengthen or repair a tooth.

The ADA names two main types. A porcelain veneer is a thin shell custom-made to fit the front surface of the tooth; the ADA calls porcelain veneers strong, long-lasting and natural-looking, and says they tend to be the more expensive option. A composite veneer is made from a tooth-colored filling material bonded to the tooth. The ADA says composite veneers may require less tooth enamel to be removed and fewer visits, and are easier to fix if damaged, but are not as stain- or wear-resistant. Cleveland Clinic notes the composite resin is the same material used for dental bonding.

Cleveland Clinic also describes no-prep or minimal-prep veneers, which require less enamel removal than traditional veneers but still require some, and are not right for everyone. Removable veneers can make it difficult to eat and could affect speech, and Cleveland Clinic says there is not a lot of research on them. Our office emphasizes conservative treatment and metal-free restorations when appropriate.

The ADA lists five things to understand first. Treatment is not reversible, because tooth enamel is removed to place a veneer. Your dentist must first treat any decay or gum disease, because placing veneers over unhealthy teeth may worsen existing problems. A veneer may chip, crack, wear down or loosen over time, requiring your dentist to re-bond, repair or replace it. If you clench or grind your teeth, or have a deep overbite, veneers may not be a good choice. And veneers are considered cosmetic dentistry, so a veneer may not be covered by insurance unless it is deemed medically necessary.

Cleveland Clinic says the same about oral health: veneers are only an option if you are free of extensive cavities and gum disease, and serious problems should be addressed first. Dr. Raffie Garabedian, a periodontist, is part of our team alongside Dr. Robert P. Hedvat, a general dentist practicing since 2011.

For a porcelain veneer, the ADA lists four steps. The dentist prepares the tooth by removing a small amount of enamel from the front and sides, then takes an impression for a mold or uses a scanner to make a 3D computer model. The impression or model goes to a dental lab, where a technician custom makes the veneer, and you may have a temporary veneer until yours is ready. At the next visit the veneer is placed to check fit and shape, the teeth are cleaned after any adjustments, and the veneer is bonded to the tooth. Each process includes picking the shade to match your natural teeth. Our office has intraoral scanning for digital impressions, which builds a three-dimensional model of the mouth without bulky impression trays.

Cleveland Clinic says the lab can take a few weeks, that the dentist checks the shape, color and fit before bonding the veneers with dental cement, and that the bite is checked and adjusted at the end. There is no downtime after placement. The ADA adds that it may take a few days to get used to a veneer, and that you should tell your dentist if your bite does not feel right so it can be corrected. A composite veneer is different: the ADA says the dentist prepares the tooth, bonds and sculpts the composite, hardens it with a special light, then smooths and polishes it.

For anxious patients, our sedation options are nitrous oxide, which is gentle and fast-acting with the patient awake and responsive and effects that wear off quickly; twilight sedation where appropriate, after reviewing your health and the planned procedure; and IV sedation under the care of a Dental Anesthesiologist. Our team takes dental anxiety seriously.

Cleveland Clinic puts the lifespan of dental veneers at 10 to 15 years with proper care and maintenance. It names the disadvantages plainly: you lose at least some natural enamel, many types of veneers are not reversible, teeth may become more sensitive to heat and cold, a veneer can fall off or become dislodged, and veneers are cosmetic, so they are not covered by most insurance. Veneers do not actively damage teeth, Cleveland Clinic says, but the natural tooth structure underneath can still decay, and the ADA notes you can still get cavities under or around a veneer.

To make veneers last, the ADA says to avoid biting your fingernails and chewing on hard objects or foods, wear a mouthguard for sports, be cautious with foods and drinks that stain such as coffee, tea or red wine, and brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and clean between your teeth daily. Cleveland Clinic adds a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, no whitening products because they can scratch veneers, and cutting up hard or crunchy foods such as apples and carrots rather than biting into them.

We do not list a price on this page. The ADA says veneers are considered cosmetic dentistry and may not be covered by insurance unless deemed medically necessary. Our team helps patients understand their benefits and financial options clearly before proceeding. We accept most PPO dental plans and CareCredit and offer financial arrangements, and our team will gladly verify your coverage before treatment. Patients from Valencia, Santa Clarita, Saugus, Newhall and Stevenson Ranch can call (661) 255-1211 or request an appointment online.